Embracing the Thrill of Face Shots, the Unforgettable Winter Experience

Winter perfection

For ski lovers, few experiences can compare to the exhilaration of skiing face shots. The term “face shots” refers to the moment when you plow through deep powder snow, creating a dramatic explosion of snow that engulfs your entire body, especially your face. It’s a sensation that epitomizes the essence of skiing and captures the hearts of winter sports enthusiasts worldwide.

The Euphoria of Fresh Powder

Skiing face shots is all about revelling in the bliss of fresh powder. Powder skiing in untouched, deep snow and that feeling of carving through light, fluffy powder is like floating on air. With each turn, the snow billows up around you, and lose yourself in the moment.
Deep Powder: Face shots require a significant amount of fresh, un-tracked powder snow. The more snow, the deeper the face shots will be.

Speed and Momentum: You need to maintain a decent amount of speed and momentum to plow through the powder effectively. Skiing too slowly may result in getting stuck or sinking. Carving Turns: To create face shots, you’ll want to make wide, sweeping turns as you descend the slope. These turns help displace the snow and create the explosive effect that characterizes face shots.

Face Shot Unleashed: As you initiate each turn, your skis will carve through the snow, pushing it up and outward. This movement results in a magnificent cloud of snow that envelops you, especially your face.

The Thrill of the Unexpected is one of the unique aspects of skiing face shots with the element of surprise. When you’re deep in powder, you can’t always predict the size or intensity of the face shots or even if you will be lucky enough to get them. This unpredictably adds an extra layer of excitement to the experience. Every turn is a new adventure, and you never know when you’ll be engulfed in a massive wave of snow.

While the hunting for skiing face shots is undoubtedly thrilling, it’s essential to prioritize safety and technique for a memorable and safe face shot experience.

A combination of elements need to align to get face shots. First is light, fresh snow with enough depth. Next is the terrain which is relatively steep so you need the appropriate skill level for the terrain you’re tackling.

Equipment is an important part of getting a face shot. In the past skis were narrower, and dove under the snow, so was actually easier to get face shots. Modern , wider skis float and they really need to go under the surface to kick the snow back up. Wider skis with a powder-specific design are ideal for skiing in deep snow. But you might find yourself skimming the surface, so drop the tips into the turn to get some snow in you goggles. Stay in control and maintain your speed as deep powder can be challenging, but relax as this fun. Wear goggles as sun glasses will quickly get clogged from the flying snow.

Skiing face shots is the epitome of winter skiing perfection. It’s a thrilling and immersive experience that allows you to connect with the natural beauty of the mountains in a way that few other activities can match. With the right conditions you can enjoy the magic of face shots while staying safe and making unforgettable memories on the slopes. So, this winter, embrace the adventure, chase the powder, and let the face shots take your skiing to a whole new level of excitement.

Fast and Light magazine photo Tim Barnett skiing powder snow